Written by

Hema Easley

Vivian Kiggins has abruptly left her position as executive director of Hi-Tor Animal Care Center in Ramapo after the board of directors declined to renew her contract and eliminated her position as part of a cost-cutting measure.

Roberta Bangs, president of the board of directors, said Kiggins was informed of the decision last week in keeping with her contract, which required 30 days’ notice. Kiggins was told she did not need to come in for the days remaining on her contract, Bangs said, to let her immediately start looking for a job.

“It’s a cost-cutting measure. In this kind of financial condition, things are getting tighter and tighter,” Bangs said. “We just can’t afford the luxury of having an executive director. It was a very hard decision to make.”

Brian Bradshaw, the shelter operation manager, will run Hi-Tor. Much of the work done by Kiggins, such as writing grants, will be performed by volunteers. The shelter also will not host its annual holiday party for staff.

Bangs would not say how much money the shelter would save by letting Kiggins go. But Hi-Tor’s 2011 financial filings showed that the executive director’s total compensation was $69,442. The shelter’s budget through Oct. 31, 2012, was $620,000, according to Bangs.

Rockland’s only animal shelter has struggled financially for a while as monetary support from municipalities and the public has failed to keep up with the need for services. Earlier this year, Bangs said Hi-Tor was operating at a deficit and may be forced to close.

In 2011, Clarkstown and Ramapo each paid $33,000, Orangetown paid $26,250, Haverstraw paid $21,000, Stony Point paid $7,350 and Spring Valley paid $6,000. The county Board of Health paid $7,200 specifically for rabies control services, mostly vaccines. Rockland County paid $66,000. It provides the shelter building for free.

But the money was far less than the shelter’s annual budget. Hi-Tor has been depending on donors and supporters.

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The building where the shelter is housed also has been criticized as rundown and overcrowded. It has a leaky roof, windows, doors and lighting that need replacement and a ventilation system that needs repairs. Rockland County, which owns the building, has agreed to make $650,000 in renovations, but the plan is on hold because of the county’s financial problems.

Detractors have accused the shelter of being run poorly and of staff not taking proper care of the animals. In October, an outbreak of feline distemper forced the shelter to euthanize 10 cats and quarantine the cattery, adding to the negative publicity the shelter has received. But the state agriculture department, which monitors animal shelters, has found no evidence of wrongdoing or ill treatment of animals.

Bangs said efforts to improve the situation at Hi-Tor were working. Fundraising by supporters to rebuild the shelter at a new location is picking up steam, she said, with supporters donating money for new cat and dog adoption centers.

The money saved from Kiggins’ job wouldn’t necessarily be used for other needs.

At this time it is important not to spend money that doesn’t need to be spent, she said.

“What Vivian did was very good. She changed the culture,” Bangs said. “Right now what we need is hands-on care of the animals.”